Crane structure

ABSTRACT

A crane is provided having a frame moveable along stationary rails and with a carriage, or trolley, moveable in the frame. Mounted in the carriage is a rotary support in which a winch is mounted and from which cables lead downwardly to a load supporting device. The crane is especially adapted for manipulating ladles to receive molten metal from melting pots, and there is included an arrangement for remotely controlling the discharge opening of the ladle carried by the crane.

United States Patent 1191 1111 3,874,513

Wilson Apr. 1, 1975 CRANE STRUCTURE 3,548,272 12/1970 Messmer 212/21 Inventor: y Wilson RR. 1 BOX West 3,675,786 7/1972 Wrlson 212/130 Alexandria, Ohio 45381 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 22 Filed; 20 1973 464,763 5/1950 Canada 212/130 [21] Appl' 389,594 Primary Examiner-Richard A. Schacher R m d U Application Data Assistant Examiner-Jeffrey V. Nase [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 202,164, Nov. 26, 1971, Agent Becker abandoned.

[57] ABSTRACT I [52] US. Cl 212/11, 212/18, 212/130 A crane is provided having a frame moveable along [51] llll. Cl. B666 17/10 Stationary rails and with a carriage or trolley move [58] Field of Search 1212/18-22, able i the frame Mounted i the carriage is a rotary 212/l24'126 l 1 support in which a winch is mounted and from which cables lead downwardly to a load supporting device. [56] References C'ted The crane is especially adapted for manipulating la- U TED STATES ATE dles to receive molten metal from melting pots, and 1,671,252 5/1928 Moore 212/11 here is included an arrangement for remotely control- 3,05l,321 8/1962 Ramsden 212/21 ling'the discharge opening of the ladle carried by the 3,111,228 11/1963 Anderson 212/130 crane,

3.247974 4/1966 Dechantsreiter 212/128 3,473,907 11/1969 Dechantsreiter 212/130 4 Clalms, 4 Drawing Figures Pi-JEHTED APR 1 i975 SHEET 1 2 FIG-l CRANE STRUCTURE This is a continuation of I application Ser. No. 202,164, filed Nov. 26. I97] and now abandoned.

This invention relates to cranes and devices for use therewith and is particularly concerned with a 'crane having a greater degree of utility than conventional cranes.

Cranes for lifting and moving heavy objects in shops are known and, in general, comprise rails fixed in an elevated position in the shop with a carriage running thereon and having winch means from which one or more cables extend adapted for engaging loads to be picked up and moved. Such cranes are usually rather bulky and require considerable free space for movement and can operate in restricted regions only with considerable difficulty.

In particular, in certain instances, a load to be handled may have parts projecting therefrom which it is necessary to protect from being broken or damaged by the crane cables and with conventional cranes it is sometimes difficult properly to handle such loads. A particular instance of the last mentioned problem encountered with conventional cranes is a melting pot having electrodes extending therefrom and which electrodes are rather fragile and can be broken if engaged by a crane cable.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, a crane is provided in which a main frame part is moveably supported on a pair of spaced elongated rails fixed in an elevated position on or in a suitable supporting structure, such as a shop building or the like. Mounted in the frame on spaced parallel rails provided therein is a crane carriage which is moveable on the frame rails to position the carriage in a desired transverse position with regard to the main fixed rails in the shop. Mounted on the carriage is a rotatable support or subcarriagc, and in which is a winch from which cables lead downwardly to a load engaging device.

The described crane structure is especially useful for the handling of ladles from which melts are discharged into molds or the like and according to the present invention a novel device is provided for controlling the discharge ofthe melt from the ladle while the rotatable subcarriage referred to assists in positioning the ladle relative to the melting pot in such a manner that electrodes projecting from the melting pot are not in danger of being damaged.

A particular object of the present invention is the provision of a crane in which the crane cables, by means of which loads are lifted, do not tend to become entangled if, for any reason. the load is not picked up in a straight line.

Another object is the provision of a crane in which the load can always be picked up in a favorable inanner.

A still further object is the provision of a crane in which the cables for picking up the load can be changed in position in order to clear parts projecting from a load to be picked up.

A still further object is the provision ofa crane which can be employed in places having limited accessibility while still permitting advantageous load lifting conditions to be established.

A still further object is the provision of a crane which is relatively compact with regard to vertical heighth thereby simplifying the installation of the crane.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reference to the following detailed specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a somewhat schematic view of a crane constructed according to the present invention:

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view drawn at somewhat enlarged scale showing a turntable structure on the crane carriage and forming a part of the invention',

FIG. 3 is a section indicated by the line III-III on FIG. 1 showing the manner in which the carriage is supported on the rails provided therefor; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing an arrangement according to the present invention for controlling the stopper in a pouring ladle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to the drawings somewhat more in detail, the crane shown in FIG. 1 is installed in a shop building or the like, of which one wall 10 is shown and carried on wall 10 is a main elongated rail 12 fixed to the wall as by brackets 14. In spaced parallel relation to rail 10 is another rail carried by another wall of the building and not shown in FIG. 1.

Rollingly supported on rails 12 is a main frame 16 for the crane, consisting of parallel rails 18 which extend at right angles to main rails 12. Rails 18 are fixedly interconnected at the opposite ends by members 20 and carried on members 20 are rollers 22 which rollingly engage respective ones of main rails 12.

At least one of the rollers 22 at each end of main frame 16 is connected to a drive shaft 24 adapted for being driven as by the electric motor and clutch arrangement at 26.

Rollingly mounted on rails 18 is a carriage 28 supported on rails 18 by wheels or rollers 30.

As will be seen in FIG. 3. the wheels or rollers 30 engage the upper side of the lower web of the [beam making up the rail 18 at each side of carriage 28, and this substantially reduces the heighth requirements for the crane.

The carriage 28 shown more in detail in FIG. 2, wherein the carriage will be seen to comprise fixedly interconnected structural members such as channels or the like, so as to define a substantially rectangular carriage, and to which the aforementioned wheels or rollers 30 are connected, and which engage rails 18.

The carriage according to the present invention is particularly characterized in the provision on the top thereof of a circular rail or track 32 on which is rotatably mounted a winch supporting frame 34. Rollers 36 support frame 34 on circular track 32 so that the winch 38 which is rotatable in the winch support frame 34 can be turned to any desired angle.

At least one of the rollers 36 is provided with drive means in the form of an electric motor or the like at 40. whereas winch 38 is provided with drive means in the form of an electric motor at 42. Further, at least one of the wheels 30 for carriage 28 is provided with drive means in the form of an electric motor 44.

Extending from the drum of winch 38 are cables 46 which lead downwardly from the drum and about a lower drum 48 and then back up to the frame 34 and pass around idlers 50. The cables 46 engage the winch drum at axially spaced points and engage the lower drum 48 at axially spaced points so that rotation of the winch support frame 34 on the carriage will also cause rotation of the axis of the lower drum 48 in a horizontal point. Lower drum 48 carries a bracket 52 to which is fixed a hook 54 or other load engaging means.

By the described construction, the main frame 16 of the crane can be moved to any longitudinal position along rails 12 while carriage 28 can be moved in a direction lateral to rails 12 in the main frame of the crane and the winch supporting frame 34 can be rotated to any desired position on its axis. The crane thus has complete flexibility of movement, and the load supporting device carried thereby can be quite accurately positioned and oriented at any desired angle.

Associated with the crane is a pair of further support rails 56 having mounted thereon a carriage 58 from which is suspended the operators cab 60 and within which are control devices 62 for controlling the operation of the crane motors and the like. Cab 60 is preferably suspended by one or more cables from carriage 58,

and electric control cables lead from devices 62 upwardly tocarriage 58 and are connected in a known manner with the various motors of the crane.

FIG. 1 shows one use of the crane according to the present invention in which the rotary winch arrangement is of particular benefit. In FIG. 1. a melting ladle 70 is tiltably supported on a base 72 and is adapted for being tilted by a fluid motor 74 to discharge melt from outlet 76 and to a pouring ladle 78.

The melting pot is provided with electrodes 80, and it will be apparent that the rotary winch structure for the crane is of particular benefit because it permits the cables 46 to be disposed on opposite sides of the electrodes whereby damage thereto is prevented.

A form of the ladle 78 according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 4. The ladle has a pouring outlet 82 at the bottom adapted for being closed by stopper 84 which is connected to a rod secured to one end of a lever 86 tiltable on the ladle at pivot point 88. A fluid motor 90 connected between the outer end of the level that is operable for tilting the ladle thereby withdrawing stopper 84 from closing position.

Fluid motor 90 is connected in closed circuit with a fluid displacement unit 92 which is operable by rack and pinion means 94 with the pinion connected to reversible motor 96. The reversible motor is under the control of a manual switch 98 and, in each direction of movement. is under the further control of limit switches LS1 and LS2 which prevent overstroking of the fluid displacement device 92.

As will be seen in FIG. 1. the ladle 78 may be tiltably arranged in a support frame 100 and can be tilted by motor 102 carried on the support frame and drivingly connected to the support shaft for the ladle.

Modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination: a crane; a main crane l-beam structure adapted for being rollingly supported at the opposite ends for movement in a direction transverse to the length thereof, a'trolley under which load is always centered. wheels on the trolley engaging the lbeam structure for movement of the trolley on the lbeam structure in the direction of the length of the lbeam structure, a horizontal circular track on said trolley, a rotatable carriage having wheels resting on said track for rotary movement of said carriage on a vertical axis on said carriage, and only one horizontal winch drum on said carriage adapted for sway compensation reeling in and paying out cable connected thereto, said crane l-beam structure comprising spaced parallel lbeams having horizontal lower flanges, the said wheels on said trolley engaging the upper sides of said horizontal lower flanges therebelow, said circular track being on top of said trolley, said trolley being open internally in the region beneath said track to permit concentric carriage positioning and cables leading from said one drum to pass centrally therethrough, cables connected to said one drum at points spaced axially of the drum and leading downwardly therefrom, and a load carrying member connected to said cables at the lower ends thereof and extending horizontally between the lower ends of the cables, said load carrying member connected to ends ofcables comprising a hook, a ladle, and a frame tiltably supporting said ladle and engaged by said hook, said ladle having a discharge opening in the bottom, a stopper for the opening inside the ladle,

means carried by the ladle for actuating said stopper between open and closed positions, power operable electric motor means on said frame for tilting said ladle therein, drive motors carried by said trolley and carriages for driving at least one wheel on each of said trolley and carriage; a further electric motor carried by said rotatable carriage for driving said one horizontal drum, said means carried by the ladle for actuating said stopper comprising a cylinder fixed to the ladle, a piston in the cylinder and a lever pivoted on said ladle and connected to the piston and also to the stopper, a double acting fluid pump on said frame connected to displace fluid to opposite ends of said cylinder, and an additional electric motor on the frame connected to said pump.

2. A crane in combination according to claim 1 which includes an operator's cab separate from said trolley and carriage, and controls in said cab for said electric motors.

3. A crane in combination according to claim 1 in which said crane includes cab support l-beams parallel to said crane l-beam structure, a cab carriage moveable on said cab support l-beams, winch means carried by said cab carriage and cable means leading downwardly therefrom, and an operators cab carried at the lower end of said cable means.

4. A crane in combination according to claim 1 in which said cable means comprise an individual cable at each end of the drum having both ends attached to the drum, said load carrying member having a pair of sheaves rotatably mounted on each ends thereof, each cable leading from the one drum to a respective sheave on the pertaining end of the load carrying member and about the sheaves and back toward the drum, and an idler sheave carried by the rotatable carriage about which the cable returning from said sheave at a respective end of the load carrying member is entrained. 

1. In combination: a crane; a main crane I-beam structure adapted for being rollingly supported at the opposite ends for movement in a direction transverse to the length thereof, a trolley under which load is always centered, wheels on the trolley engaging the I-beam structure for movement of the trolley on the I-beam structure in the direction of the length of the Ibeam structure, a horizontal circular track on said trolley, a rotatable carriage having wheels resting on said track for rotary movement of said carriage on a vertical axis on said carriage, and only one horizontal winch drum on said carriage adapted for sway compensation reeling in and paying out cable connected thereto, said crane I-beam structure comprising spaced parallel I-beams having horizontal lower flanges, the said wheels on said trolley engaging the upper sides of said horizontal lower flanges therebelow, said circular track being on top of said trolley, said trolley being open internally in the region beneath said track to permit concentric carriage positioning and cables leading from said one drum to pass centrally therethrough, cables connected to said one drum at points spaced axially of the drum and leading downwardly therefrom, and a load carrying member connected to said cables at the lower ends thereof and extending horizontally between the lower ends of the cables, said load Carrying member connected to ends of cables comprising a hook, a ladle, and a frame tiltably supporting said ladle and engaged by said hook, said ladle having a discharge opening in the bottom, a stopper for the opening inside the ladle, means carried by the ladle for actuating said stopper between open and closed positions, power operable electric motor means on said frame for tilting said ladle therein, drive motors carried by said trolley and carriages for driving at least one wheel on each of said trolley and carriage; a further electric motor carried by said rotatable carriage for driving said one horizontal drum, said means carried by the ladle for actuating said stopper comprising a cylinder fixed to the ladle, a piston in the cylinder and a lever pivoted on said ladle and connected to the piston and also to the stopper, a double acting fluid pump on said frame connected to displace fluid to opposite ends of said cylinder, and an additional electric motor on the frame connected to said pump.
 2. A crane in combination according to claim 1 which includes an operator''s cab separate from said trolley and carriage, and controls in said cab for said electric motors.
 3. A crane in combination according to claim 1 in which said crane includes cab support I-beams parallel to said crane I-beam structure, a cab carriage moveable on said cab support I-beams, winch means carried by said cab carriage and cable means leading downwardly therefrom, and an operator''s cab carried at the lower end of said cable means.
 4. A crane in combination according to claim 1 in which said cable means comprise an individual cable at each end of the drum having both ends attached to the drum, said load carrying member having a pair of sheaves rotatably mounted on each ends thereof, each cable leading from the one drum to a respective sheave on the pertaining end of the load carrying member and about the sheaves and back toward the drum, and an idler sheave carried by the rotatable carriage about which the cable returning from said sheave at a respective end of the load carrying member is entrained. 